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Karlsruhe

Echoes in the Concrete: The Digital Bauhaus

0.8 km65 min6 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step inside a paradox. Hallenbau A is a colossal former munitions factory that once fueled the darkest chapters of World War 2. Today, it is a utopian laboratory for the future of digital art and design. Join Clara, a grounded design lover, and Victor, a passionate architectural historian, as they navigate the ghosts of the industrial past and the glowing screens of the 'Electronic Bauhaus'. This immersive, mind-bending audio walk will challenge everything you know about architecture, memory, and the power of art to rewrite history.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Platz der Menschenrechte

A civic square that introduces the dark industrial past of the site, contrasting its history of forced labor with its current dedication to human rights.

0.11 km • 2 min
2

STOP 2

ZKM Vorplatz (Forecourt)

The forecourt of the 300-meter-long Hallenbau A, focusing on the architectural rescue and preservation of its raw industrial aesthetics.

0.05 km • 1 min
3

STOP 3

ZKM Foyer & ZKM_Kubus

The threshold into the digital realm, featuring the Foyer and the ZKM_Kubus, a sound dome for spatial acoustic art.

ZKM Foyer & ZKM_Kubus

Pic by Andreas Schwarzkopf on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.25 km • 4 min
4

STOP 4

ZKM | Museum of Contemporary Art

Housed in Atriums 1 and 2, this museum showcases the evolution of traditional art into interactive, screen-based, and algorithmic media.

ZKM | Museum of Contemporary Art

Pic by Baden de on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.08 km • 1 min
5

STOP 5

Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG)

The pedagogical heart of the complex, continuing the Bauhaus legacy through interdisciplinary education in design, art, and theory.

Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG)

Pic by Andreas Schwarzkopf on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.30 km • 5 min
6

END

Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe

The Municipal Gallery provides a grounding contrast, connecting the high-tech focus of the ZKM back to classical art history.

Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe

Pic by Hartmut Binder on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Architecture enthusiasts, digital artists, history buffs, and urban explorers drawn to brutalism and philosophical debates.
  • Best time Wednesday to Sunday, during museum opening hours (typically 11 AM to 6 PM) to fully experience the interiors.
  • What to bring Headphones with good bass response for the acoustic installations.
  • Pacing Take your time inside the atriums; the scale can be overwhelming.
  • Accessibility The entire complex is highly accessible with ramps and elevators.
  • Photography Allowed in most areas, but watch out for specific copyright signs on digital screens.
  • Breaks The museum café is a great spot to rest between the digital and classical wings.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Clara Vogt
Audio sample
0:000:00

Clara Vogt

  • Art, Design & Aesthetics
  • Portugal

Art and design lover. Discovers beauty in the everyday and connects street art, fashion, and architecture.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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